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Questions and Answers
Who is Moshe the Beadle?
The caretaker of the synagogue.
What does Wiesel tell the reader of Moshe?
He is poor and lived in penury; he was the only poor person people liked because he stayed out of the way; awkward and strange.
How does Wiesel describe himself as a boy of 12?
Observant, studied Talmud.
How does Wiesel describe his father?
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Why did Elie's father prohibit him from studying the Cabala?
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How did Wiesel realize his wish to study the Cabala?
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What happened to Moshe?
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Several months later, Elie saw Moshe the Beadle again. What story did Moshe tell?
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How was Moshe able to escape?
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How was Moshe changed as a result of his experience?
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How did other people in the village react to Moshe's story?
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Why did the villagers react the way they did to Moshe's story?
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What was the attitude of the Jews of Sighet?
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What literary device does Wiesel employ to emphasize the foolish optimism and denial of facts of the Jews living in Sighet?
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After the Germans arrived in Sighet, what was the prevailing attitude among the residents?
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After Passover, Wiesel says 'the curtain rose.' What does this refer to?
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What happened after Passover?
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What was bitterly ironic about the comments that Wiesel's father made regarding the wearing of the yellow star?
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What was the Germans' next step?
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How did the Jews react to this?
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The Germans had other plans for the Jews of Sighet, however. What were those plans?
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Where did they go?
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Despite all that happened, even after the Germans entered the capital of Budapest, Wiesel tells us that people still remained optimistic about their future. How can you explain this optimism?
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In this chapter, Wiesel uses images from nature. How does he use the sun?
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What does the imagery of night suggest?
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Given the fact that the title of this book is 'Night', what do you suppose a major theme in this work will be?
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A memoir is a story of one's life told by the person similar to an autobiography. Describe the tone of this memoir, and speculate on why Wiesel chooses to use this tone.
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Study Notes
Characters and Descriptions
- Moshe the Beadle: Caretaker of the synagogue, poor yet liked for his unobtrusiveness, described as awkward and strange.
- Elie Wiesel at age twelve: Observant boy who studied the Talmud.
- Wiesel’s father: A cultured, unsentimental man more engaged with others than with family.
Themes and Literary Devices
- Prohibition of studying the Cabala: Elie’s father believed he was too young and that it was dangerous.
- Irony: Used to highlight the contradictory optimism and denial of the Jews in Sighet regarding their situation.
- Imagery of nature: Descriptions include “under a blazing sun” and “the heat was oppressive,” signifying an oppressive atmosphere.
Events and Reactions
- Deportation of Moshe: Foreign Jews were expelled, and Moshe was taken away on a train.
- Moshe's warning: Upon return, he recounts witnessing atrocities by the Gestapo, but his warnings are met with disbelief.
- Jewish villagers’ response: Denial and outrage, unable to accept the reality of the horrors described.
Sociopolitical Context
- Attitude of Sighet's Jews: Initially optimistic, they were reassured by the Germans’ friendly demeanor.
- Post-Passover events: Germans began to arrest Jewish leaders and impose stricter controls.
- Wearing the yellow star: Initially dismissed as non-lethal by Wiesel's father, it became a deadly symbol of identification for Jews.
Transition to Oppression
- The establishment of ghettos: Jews were confined and concentrated, leading to a false sense of community.
- Transportation plans: Jews were moved from the ghettos to cattle cars, indicating the escalation of their plight.
- Persistence of Jewish optimism: Even as danger loomed, many clung to hope, reluctant to believe in their dire circumstances.
Symbolism and Themes
- Night as a metaphor: Represents a loss of hope and the persistent darkness of their experiences, suggesting a major theme of despair in the memoir.
- Tone of the memoir: Reflects the darkest moments of Wiesel's life, emphasizing the gravity of the historical events.
Conclusion
- The narrative carries a profound sense of loss, despair, and the struggle against the cruel reality of life during the Holocaust, laying the groundwork for the themes explored throughout the memoir.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Chapter 1 of Elie Wiesel's 'Night' with these flashcards. Focus on key characters like Moshe the Beadle and Wiesel's childhood reflections. Ideal for understanding the themes and character backgrounds in this poignant memoir.
